India's Worst Plane Crash _ Only Mid-Air Collision in History

The Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision, also known as the Charkhi Dadri air disaster, was a devastating aviation accident that took place on November 12, 1996. 

This tragedy involved two commercial aircraft, a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747-168B and a Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin Il-76.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the incident:

1. Aircraft and Flight Details:

 Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763: A Boeing 747-168B was en route from Delhi, India, to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 

It was carrying 312 passengers and 23 crew members.

Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907: An Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane was flying from Chimkent, Kazakhstan, to Delhi, India. It had a crew of 8 people on board.

2. Air Traffic Control and Communication:

One of the primary factors contributing to this disaster was the lack of coordination and communication between the air traffic control systems in India and Kazakhstan. 

Both aircraft were flying in the same airspace without proper coordination.

3. Mid-Air Collision:

As the two aircraft approached each other over the town of Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, India, they collided in mid-air. 

The Boeing 747's right wing struck the tail section of the Ilyushin Il-76. 

The impact resulted in catastrophic damage to both aircraft.

4. Consequences:

The collision led to the disintegration of the Boeing 747, and wreckage rained down on the village of Charkhi Dadri and its surrounding areas.

Both aircraft crashed to the ground, resulting in the loss of all 349 people on board, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history.

Debris from the crash damaged several houses and caused fires in the village.

5. Investigation and Findings:

After the accident, an extensive investigation was conducted to determine the exact causes. 

The inquiry revealed that one of the major contributing factors was the lack of a functioning collision avoidance system (TCAS - Traffic Collision Avoidance System) on either of the aircraft. 

TCAS is designed to provide guidance to flight crews to avoid mid-air collisions.

6. Air Traffic Control Errors:

The investigation also exposed multiple errors and shortcomings in the air traffic control systems involved. 

The air traffic controllers in Kazakhstan and India failed to adequately track the flights and provide timely warnings about the potential collision.

There was a significant delay in notifying the Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 about the presence of the Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907.

7. International Cooperation:

The incident underscored the importance of international cooperation in aviation safety. 

It led to a reevaluation of communication protocols between different countries' air traffic control systems to prevent such tragic accidents.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued recommendations to improve coordination and communication between air traffic control centers in different countries, especially in regions with high air traffic density.

8. Impact on Aviation Safety:

The Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision had a lasting impact on the aviation industry. 

It served as a catalyst for significant improvements in air traffic management and safety protocols worldwide.

It led to more stringent requirements for TCAS installation on commercial aircraft to enhance collision avoidance capabilities.

9. Memorials and Remembrance:

Memorials and commemorations were established to remember the victims of the Charkhi Dadri tragedy, both in India and Saudi Arabia.

The accident remains one of the most tragic incidents in the history of civil aviation, and it is remembered as a solemn reminder of the importance of safety in the skies.

Investigations into the Charkhi Dadri collision found that the primary cause was a lack of communication between the two air traffic control systems. 

This included inadequate information exchange about the positions and altitudes of the two aircraft, leading to the tragic accident.

The Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision was a tragic event that prompted changes and improvements in the aviation industry. 

It highlighted the need for effective communication, coordination, and safety measures to prevent mid-air collisions and ensure the safety of air travelers around the world.

The Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision served as a stark reminder of the importance of effective air traffic control and international cooperation in ensuring aviation safety. 

It prompted changes and improvements in air traffic control procedures and international communication protocols to help prevent similar accidents in the future.